Judges 6:1-24
Today is our introduction to Gideon. We find our soon-to-be-judge threshing wheat inside a winepress in an attempt to hide this food source from the plundering Midianites. The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon here and tells him "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor." Gideon's response is to question why Israel is under oppression. The Lord doesn't answer any of Gideon's questions but instead responds "Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?" That's pretty straight forward yet, again, we see Gideon unsure and questioning.
So do you see any similarities between yourself and Gideon? (Although I don't like to admit it, I sure do.) What can we do to be more confident in stepping out to serve the Lord? Tami W.
What would we do if our country was taken over by another suppressive country? Would we be more fearful than these Isrealites were. Would we be in squallor? Or living in caves? Many are now in the streets..Mission houses are full already! I would be fearful in that situation no matter how strong my faith! Yes We should do all we can do help those in want.God provides but the fear is still there. Gideon found favor with the Lord in his fear.He was chosen to go.God knew his heart and love for God. He obeyed even if in secret.He got rid of the evil in their midst. (I need prayer The Lord will open hearts and rid my house of any unbelieve, thats my fear) With Jesus we can 'Be not afraid' and obey. The poor we always have with us. We can do something. I desire my family follow with me, to rid me of that fear. But I can do all things through Christ.Since we are on this side of the cross I see HIS victory accomplished.Even if not yet..
HI TAMI
I SURE DO SEE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN GIDEON AND MYSELF. WE ARE ALL CREATURES WHO BELIEVE IN WHAT WE SEE, HEAR, SMELL AND FEEL SO WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THESE SENSES BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKED FOR US SINCE BIRTH. THEREFORE, WE SEEK TO HAVE PROOF RELATIVE TO THE SPIRITUAL THINGS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE PHYSICAL.
YET EVEN WHEN WE GET PROOF BEFORE OUR VERY EYES E.G. THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA, WE STILL FALL AWAY FROM GOD. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO HAVE GOD'S JOB.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR CONFIDENCE WILL GROW BY GOD'S GRACE IF WE CONTINUE TO DISPLAY A WILLING HEART TO WORK FOR GOD, KEEP IN THE WORD, FAST AND PRAY UNCEASINGLY.
REGARDS IN CHRIST
CECIL
Very good. I received the P4 and Bible Minute first thing this morning. Just like the Apostle Peter also, each of us can see some of ourselves in Gideon as well. I think the best thing to do is to constantly remind ourselves of God's grace, strength and mercy. We should also remind ourselves of what God has done for us in the past. This is what King David did in the Psalms several times when he went through difficult times. Also, a very practical thing would be to memorize scripture verses to keep it in our heart.
O yes I see some of Gideon in me just wanting to make sure. As I read the passage over the angel's greeting to Gideon was "The Lord is with thee, thou mghty man of valour". Gideon it seemed did not think he was any mighty man of valour and hence his request for verification. We do not see ourselves the same God sees us. What I can't understand though is why Gideon wanted so many signs. But we serve an awesome God and He did what Gideon asked of Him.
Gideon did not have all the information we have today but if we keep in God's Word, when He calls us we will know because He speaks to us differently in the 21st century and this is through His Word. Isn't awesome when God gives you a task sometimes you want to ask "why me". We have nothing to fear when He calls us because we can now arm ourselves with the Armour of God so that we "may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all,to stand"{KJV). Having faith in our God is all we require. He will strengthen us.
I think that we need to look not at the end but at the first step. Gideon was afraid because his clan was not powerful. We always see the huge task and our own weakness and not the power of the Lord. We must take the first step in faith, "for God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power..." 2 Ti 1:7 Most times we are like Elisha's servant and are unable to see the hills full of horses and chariots on our side, so we feel inadequate when we are to do the Lord's work.
We need to be encouraged by Gideon, Moses, Ehud and others who God used to do his bidding.
I will always remember the stories of ordinary people who God used.
Just a thought (after reading Dr. Kroll's study on Gideon}- instead of looking at Gideon as someone who lacked courage or was a coward, could it be that he was wise to thresh his wheat by the winepress to hide from the Midianites because he did not want any oonfrontation or loss of their food because the Midianites had access to these fast camels? To me he seemed to lack faith more than anything else. God spoke of him as a man of valor. As I said just a thought.
It occurs to me that whenever we question or are hesitant to do what we think God is calling us to do...we need to remember that God does seem to have a track record of selecting the unlikely and/or the reluctant! Moses, Jonah, David, Ester, the Disciples.....
We serve a great God who can do extraordinary things using ordinary people.